Shortening Scarf osteotomy for correction of severe hallux valgus. Does shortening affect the outcome?

BACKGROUND

Translation and shortening of Scarf osteotomy allows correction of severe hallux valgus deformity. Shortening may result in transfer metatarsalgia.

AIM: To evaluate outcome of patients undergoing shortening Scarf osteotomy for severe hallux valgus deformities.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Fifteen patients (20feet, mean age 58 years) underwent shortening Scarf osteotomy for severe hallux valgus deformities. Outcomes were pre and postoperative AOFAS scores, IM and HV angles, patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 25 months (range 22-30). The IM angle improved from a median of 18.60 (range 13.4-26.20) preoperatively to 9.70 (range 8.0-13.70) postoperatively (8.9; 95% CI=7.6-10.3; p<0.001). The HV angle improved from a mean of 43.2 (range 27.4-68.2) preoperatively to 13.6 (range 3.0-37.4) postoperatively (29.6; 95% CI=26.1-33.2; p<0.001). The median AOFAS score improved from 29.2 (range 14-60) preoperatively to 82.2 (range 55-100) postoperatively (53.0; 95% CI=48.0-58.5; p<0.001). All patients rated their satisfaction as either satisfied or very satisfied. None had symptoms of transfer metatarsalgia at final follow-up. All osteotomies united.

CONCLUSIONS

Shortening Scarf osteotomy is a viable option for treating severe hallux valgus deformities with no transfer metatarsalgia.